No games, but plenty of men's college hoops action ahead

That’s the deadline for college underclassmen to declare for the 2011 NBA draft.

There are indications several would-be professional ballers are being extra careful making that decision due to uncertainty over a future labor agreement in the NBA.

The NBA collective bargaining agreement expires on June 30. There’s a sense that, just like in the NFL, the millionaires won’t be able to figure out how to divide their millions without a work stoppage.

The scare might be strong enough to entice some college stars to stay in school another year.

Imagine one more college season with Jared Sullinger patrolling the paint for Ohio State, or Harrison Barnes gliding baseline to baseline for North Carolina.

Connecticut started three freshmen in the national championship game against Butler on Monday night.

One of them was not guard Kemba Walker, whose pro stock probably soared during the post-season.

However, Walker is a junior. Whether he’ll turn pro or play for UConn next season isn’t known.

Nor is the question of whether 68-year-old Huskies coach Jim Calhoun will return or settle into retirement as a newly minted champion.

There is much to sort out before practice starts in the fall.

For now, let’s say Kentucky will be the preseason No. 1 team in the country for 2011-12.

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About Me

George Pohly is the sports editor for The Macomb Daily in Clinton Township, Mich. He joined the Daily staff in 1984. Write to George at george.pohly@macombdaily.com. Follow on Twitter @GPohly, and on TOUT at GeorgePohly